From Black Power to Black Lives Matter: A Forum with 1968 Olympic medalist John Carlos (Jan. 22)

You have seen the famous photo of Tommy Smith and John Carlos raising their fist on the medal stand in defiance of racism. Now Seattle has the amazing opportunity to learn about movement that created the moment–from John Carlos himself! And it couldn’t come at a better time. The chant “BLACK LIVES MATTER” has echoed across America and inspired a new generation of activists to take to the streets in defense of black people who are murdered daily by a racist injustice system. This community panel will connect the current struggle and the youth leading that struggle to the Black Power movement of the 1960s-1970s. After the panel there will be group breakouts for people to talk about next steps and to get involved in the movement.

Panel:

ARETHA BASU: Community Activist in the Black Lives Matter movement, Women of Color for Systemic Change

JOHN CARLOS: 1968 Olympic Bronze medalist who raised his black gloved fist in a statement of struggle and resistance on the medal stand and became a global icon in the fight against racism, co-author of "The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed The World". He will be available to sign books after the event.

JESSE HAGOPIAN: Member of SEE: Social Equality Educators, Advisor for the Garfield High School Black Student Union, editor and contributing author of "More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High-Stakes Testing"